Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime – Adlai Stevenson II

Adlai Stevenson was known as an intellectual politician, a fine raconteur whose eloquent speeches and thoughtful demeanor impressed his peers. His lofty air and fondness for intellectualising made him popular among his coterie of political comrades, but his style did not go down well with the wider population. They thought he was indecisive and not fit to lead the country. When Stevenson ran for the Presidency in 1952, he suffered a landslide defeat. When he tried for the White House again in 1956, the result was even worse. The people didn't care for his "tranquil and steady dedication". They wanted more heart. They wanted emotion and overt patriotism. They wanted this: